Austin Brinkman was a highly recruited Harford County football player who earned a scholarship as the long snapper for West Virginia University football. This past December, Austin received a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is currently preparing for the NFL Combines at the end of February.
Harford Lifestyle Sports: At what age did you begin playing organized sports?
Austin Brinkman: I began playing organized sports around 9 or 10 years old.
HLS: What were those sports? Which rec council?
AB: I began playing football with North Harford’s recreation program,
and then played basketball and baseball through Emmorton Rec. I
later played football through Emmorton as well.
HLS: Did you play because your friends were playing, parental encouragement,
or because it looked like fun?
AB: Both of my parents were coaches so I was surrounded by sports
from the start. I loved being around sports from being with them so
I figured it would be fun to give it a shot.
HLS: I met your Dad originally in the 90s when he coached wrestling and
football at Edgewood High School. Your Mom and I are on the Harford Sports Hall of Fame
committee. Obviously you have athletic ‘genes’….were you
naturally good at every sport you played? Which one came easiest and
which one did you find most difficult?
AB: Naturally, I had the drive to work at whatever sport I was playing
and give that my all until that one was over and the next one
started. With all, I was gifted with athletic parents who never lost
their love for their sport and were able to instill that in me. I will say
I think the hardest sport for me was lacrosse. It was just much
different from the sports I previously played so it took some getting
used to.
HLS: Were you recruited by private high schools coming out of Parks n Rec
sports? Which ones? Why did you choose JC?
AB: No, not necessarily. John Carroll was really the only one that I looked
at, considering it was close to home. It [John Carroll] allowed me to get a great
education and get used to a schedule that was formed closely to the
one I got once I started school at West Virginia. It also allowed me
to compete with and against some of the best athletes in the
county, region, and state in every sport.
HLS: Were you a good student in middle school? Did you find the rigors of JC
academics much more challenging? Do you feel that JC helped you prepare
for WVU academically with time management and study skills?
AB: I would say I was a good student in middle school and I think once I
got to JC it was definitely an adjustment. There was more being
asked of you in shorter time frames so it took me a while to just get
used to the workload and then the work itself.
HLS: Briefly explain your athletic accomplishments at JC (ie, All Metro Football,
All MIAA lax, etc)
AB: First Team All Harford County Punter;
John Carroll’s pick as Scholar Athlete to compete against the Baltimore Metro area as top scholar-athlete
National Football Foundation college hall of fame scholar-athlete award recipient
HLS: What colleges recruited you as a long snapper? At what point did you become a starter?
AB: My offers came from Morgan State, Delaware State, Cornell, West
Virginia, Akron, Penn State, Army, and Virginia Military Institute. I
became the starter at WVU during the 2021 season. Had a great fall
camp and won the job a week before our season opener.
Among others:
2021 Earned Scholarship: 2023 Preseason 4th Team Big 12
2023 Mannelly Award Watchlist (outstanding Long Snapper in all of Division One football)U
2024 Preseason 1st Team Big 12; 4th team D1 All American
2024 Mannelly Award Semifinalist (top 10 in Division One)
2024 3rd Team All American; Picked for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL
4x Academic All Big 12 First Team
HLS: Did you feel prepared for the independent aspect of college academics? Did the football program keep a watchful eye on your grades?
AB: I did. The way the schedule was set up I felt that it helped me get accustomed to the independence you would have in the college. The football team has access to great academic resources and provided us with time to take care of our academic responsibilities. They did grade check every so often and your position coach would talk to you if there were anything concerning in terms of grades. With all of the resources available, I never had an issue maintaining good grades.
HLS: What are your plans athletically and career wise?
AB: Currently I am preparing for the NFL, working with our head strength coach at WVU and all of his staff, helping myself and my teammates prepare. Post football I am thinking about a career in coaching or anything that just keeps me involved with sports.
